Colombia’s food retail market reached $45 billion in 2023, with supermarkets taking 60% of sales. Per capita food consumption hit 850 kg in 2022, led by cereals at 200 kg per person. Agricultural output and export volumes move alongside that demand, from coffee production of 11.6 million 60-kg bags to banana exports of 2.8 million tons shipped mainly to Europe and the US.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Colombia produced 12.6 million metric tons of rice, accounting for 4.2% of Latin America's total rice production
- Colombia's coffee production reached 11.6 million 60-kg bags in 2023, with Arabica varieties comprising 98% of output
- Banana exports from Colombia totaled 2.8 million tons in 2022, with 95% destined for Europe and the US
- Colombia's food retail market was valued at $45 billion in 2023, with supermarkets at 60%
- Per capita food consumption reached 850 kg in 2022, led by cereals at 200 kg
- Beverage consumption grew 7% to 120 liters per capita in 2023 (non-alcoholic)
- In 2023, Colombia exported $2.1 billion worth of food products, with coffee leading at 35%
- Flower exports reached $1.95 billion in 2023, to 110 countries
- Banana shipments totaled 28 million boxes in 2022, valued at $950 million
- In 2022, Colombia's food processing industry generated $25.6 billion in revenue, employing 250,000 people directly
- The beverage segment within food processing grew 8.2% in 2022, reaching $8.4 billion
- Dairy processing output was 7.2 million tons in 2022, with UHT milk at 45% of total
- In 2022, Colombia imported $7.8 billion in food products, with wheat at 45%
- Wheat imports reached 3.2 million tons in 2022, 90% from US
- Soybean imports totaled 2.5 million tons in 2023 for animal feed
Colombian farming and food processing are set to grow in 2024, led by coffee recovery and rising yields.
Related reading
01 · Category
Agricultural Production30 stats
01
In 2022, Colombia produced 12.6 million metric tons of rice, accounting for 4.2% of Latin America's total rice production
02
Colombia's coffee production reached 11.6 million 60-kg bags in 2023, with Arabica varieties comprising 98% of output
03
Banana exports from Colombia totaled 2.8 million tons in 2022, with 95% destined for Europe and the US
04
In 2021, Colombia harvested 4.2 million tons of maize, with yellow maize making up 85% for animal feed
05
Palm oil production in Colombia was 1.9 million tons in 2022, ranking it third in Latin America
06
Colombia produced 1.1 million tons of cut flowers in 2023, with roses accounting for 25% of the total value
07
Sugarcane production reached 38.5 million tons in crop year 2022/23, yielding 4.8 million tons of sugar
08
In 2022, Colombia's cassava production was 5.2 million tons, primarily used for animal feed and starch
09
Plantain production totaled 3.1 million tons in 2021, with 70% consumed domestically
10
Colombia grew 1.4 million tons of beans in 2022, with cargo beans representing 60% of output
11
Oil palm cultivated area expanded to 447,000 hectares in 2022, up 2.5% from previous year
12
Coffee planted area in Colombia was 930,000 hectares in 2023, with Huila department leading at 25%
13
Rice irrigated area covered 311,000 hectares in 2022/23, producing 10.5 tons per hectare on average
14
Maize yields averaged 5.8 tons per hectare in 2022, with hybrid seeds boosting productivity by 15%
15
Banana production per hectare reached 25 tons in 2022 in Uraba region
16
Flower exports by value hit $1.9 billion in 2023, with 1.1 billion stems shipped
17
Sugarcane yields were 78 tons per hectare in 2022/23, highest in Valle del Cauca
18
Cassava yields improved to 22 tons per hectare in 2022 due to better varieties
19
Plantain harvested area was 142,000 hectares in 2021, yielding 22 tons/ha
20
Bean production area contracted to 245,000 hectares in 2022 amid dry weather
21
In 2024 forecast, food production growth at 3.2% driven by coffee recovery
22
Projected rice production 13.2 million tons for 2024
23
Coffee yields expected to rise 5% to 12 bags/ha in 2024
24
Banana output forecast at 2.9 million tons in 2024
25
Maize production projected 4.5 million tons for 2024 crop
26
Palm oil production to hit 2.0 million tons in 2024
27
Flower production expected 1.2 million tons in 2024
28
Sugarcane forecast 39.5 million tons for 2023/24
29
Cassava output projected 5.5 million tons in 2024
30
Plantain production to reach 3.3 million tons in 2024
Interpretation
Agricultural Production Interpretation
Colombia’s agricultural sector is a masterful balancing act, feeding its own people with plantains and beans while simultaneously fueling the world’s coffee addiction, sweetening its exports with sugar, and ensuring global celebrations are never without a rose or a banana.
02 · Category
Domestic Market and Consumption20 stats
01
Colombia's food retail market was valued at $45 billion in 2023, with supermarkets at 60%
02
Per capita food consumption reached 850 kg in 2022, led by cereals at 200 kg
03
Beverage consumption grew 7% to 120 liters per capita in 2023 (non-alcoholic)
04
Dairy consumption averaged 185 liters per capita in 2022
05
Meat consumption was 52 kg per capita in 2023, with chicken at 40 kg
06
Processed food market share in retail hit 55% in 2022
07
Fruit consumption per capita was 85 kg in 2022, bananas leading
08
Vegetable intake averaged 70 kg per capita annually in 2023
09
Sugar consumption reached 45 kg per capita in 2022
10
Bread and bakery products consumed 75 kg per capita in 2023
11
Soft drinks market volume was 8.5 billion liters in 2022
12
Organic food sales grew 12% to $250 million in 2023
13
Fast food outlets numbered 15,000 in 2022, serving 2 million meals daily
14
E-commerce food sales surged 25% to $2.5 billion in 2023
15
Household food expenditure was 28% of total spending in 2022
16
Food retail market to grow to $55 billion by 2028
17
Per capita food spend projected $1,200in 2025
18
Non-alcoholic beverages to 130 L/capita by 2025
19
Dairy consumption forecast 200 L/capita in 2025
20
Meat intake projected 60 kg/capita by 2025
Interpretation
Domestic Market and Consumption Interpretation
Colombians are industriously plotting their next meal, as evidenced by a $45 billion food retail market, a steady diet of chicken and cereals, a growing thirst for beverages, and a notable, if slightly tense, relationship with sugar and vegetables.
03 · Category
Exports25 stats
01
In 2023, Colombia exported $2.1 billion worth of food products, with coffee leading at 35%
02
Flower exports reached $1.95 billion in 2023, to 110 countries
03
Banana shipments totaled 28 million boxes in 2022, valued at $950 million
04
Palm oil exports were 1.2 million tons in 2022, mainly to Europe
05
Processed food exports grew 15% to $4.2 billion in 2023
06
Coffee exports hit 12.2 million bags in 2023, valued at $3.8 billion
07
Sugar exports reached 2.1 million tons in 2022/23, to 45 countries
08
Avocado exports surged to 140,000 tons in 2023, worth $250 million
09
Shrimp exports totaled 45,000 tons in 2022, valued at $320 million
10
Cocoa exports were 12,000 tons in 2023, up 20% YoY
11
Fruit exports (fresh and processed) hit $1.2 billion in 2023
12
Dairy product exports reached $150 million in 2022, mainly powdered milk
13
Canned tuna exports were 25,000 tons in 2022, to US and EU
14
Snacks and confectionery exports grew to $400 million in 2023
15
Vegetable exports totaled $180 million in 2022, led by beans
16
Food exports projected $5.5 billion in 2025
17
Flower exports forecast $2.2 billion in 2024
18
Banana exports to reach 30 million boxes in 2024
19
Palm oil exports projected 1.4 million tons in 2024
20
Coffee exports forecast 13 million bags in 2024/25
21
Sugar exports to hit 2.5 million tons in 2024/25
22
Avocado exports projected 200,000 tons in 2025
23
Shrimp exports forecast $400 million in 2024
24
Cocoa exports to reach 15,000 tons in 2024
25
Processed fruits exports $1.5 billion by 2025
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
Colombia's food industry is brewing up an impressive economic harvest, where coffee still wears the crown but a vibrant bouquet of bananas, avocados, and processed goods is rapidly blossoming into a formidable export portfolio.
More related reading
04 · Category
Food Processing and Manufacturing21 stats
01
In 2022, Colombia's food processing industry generated $25.6 billion in revenue, employing 250,000 people directly
02
The beverage segment within food processing grew 8.2% in 2022, reaching $8.4 billion
03
Dairy processing output was 7.2 million tons in 2022, with UHT milk at 45% of total
04
Meat processing plants produced 1.2 million tons of processed meats in 2023
05
Confectionery production reached 450,000 tons in 2022, with chocolate exports up 12%
06
Bakery products manufacturing output was 2.8 million tons in 2021
07
Vegetable oil refining capacity hit 3.5 million tons annually in 2022
08
Fruit juice processing volume was 1.1 million tons in 2023, led by passion fruit
09
Pasta production totaled 550,000 tons in 2022, with 70% wheat imported
10
Canned fish processing output grew to 120,000 tons in 2022
11
Sugar refining processed 4.9 million tons in 2022/23
12
Food processing industry CAGR projected at 5.1% to 2028
13
Beverage sector revenue forecast $10 billion by 2025
14
Dairy processing to grow 4% annually to 2027
15
Meat processing output projected 1.4 million tons by 2025
16
Chocolate production forecast 500,000 tons in 2025
17
Bakery market to reach $4 billion by 2026
18
Vegetable oil production up 6% to 2024
19
Juice processing volume to hit 1.3 million tons by 2025
20
Pasta output projected 600,000 tons in 2024
21
Canned seafood forecast 140,000 tons by 2025
Interpretation
Food Processing and Manufacturing Interpretation
Colombia's food industry is a hungry economic engine, churning out billions and soaking up labor as its beverage buzz, dairy streams, and sweet-tooth sectors steadily balloon into a serious platter of future growth.
05 · Category
Imports20 stats
01
In 2022, Colombia imported $7.8 billion in food products, with wheat at 45%
02
Wheat imports reached 3.2 million tons in 2022, 90% from US
03
Soybean imports totaled 2.5 million tons in 2023 for animal feed
04
Corn imports were 1.8 million tons in 2022, mainly yellow corn
05
Vegetable oils imports hit 450,000 tons in 2023
06
Milk powder imports were 280,000 tons in 2022
07
Sugar imports minimal at 50,000 tons in 2023 due to surplus
08
Rice imports dropped to 100,000 tons in 2022
09
Processed meats imports valued $300 million in 2023
10
Pasta ingredients imports (semolina) 200,000 tons in 2022
11
Frozen fish imports reached 80,000 tons in 2023
12
Edible oils imports grew 5% to 500,000 tons in 2022
13
Food imports forecast $9 billion in 2025
14
Wheat imports projected 3.5 million tons in 2024
15
Soybean imports to hit 3 million tons in 2025
16
Corn imports forecast 2 million tons for 2024
17
Vegetable oils imports 550,000 tons projected 2025
18
Milk powder imports to reach 300,000 tons in 2024
19
Sugar imports stable at 60,000 tons forecast 2025
20
Rice imports minimal 80,000 tons in 2024
Interpretation
Imports Interpretation
Colombia's pantry is increasingly global, as its $7.8 billion food import tab reveals a hearty appetite for American wheat, soy for its livestock, and oils for its frying pans, painting a picture of a nation that feeds itself by looking far beyond its own fertile borders.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Colombia Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Colombia Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/colombia-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Colombia Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-food-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
40 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level